An altar is a place where humanity meets divinity. At an altar an exchange is made. An altar is a place of slaughter and or sacrifice. We live and operate in two different realms simultaneously. Altars work for or against human forces in the spirit realm. At an altar a human submits to the authority and power of the spirit realm. It is a gateway from the physical realm into the spiritual realm. God responded to Noah’s sacrifice on the altar.
seedtime and harvest,
cold and heat,
summer and winter,
day and night
will never cease.”
The spiritual realm is real....
- the kingdom of this world which is ruled by the devil (a discharged angel of God)
- The Kingdom of God (heaven on earth) which is owned by The Almighty God in heaven; and ruled by us HIS children and ambassadors through the leadership of God manifested in person of The Holy Spirit living in us.
God's Kingdom power is activated when 'the children of God' know, understand and use their authority. Jesus defeated 'the strongman' in the earth i.e. the devil and gave us back dominion which God had initially ordained. Mark 3 'The Messiah' Jesus Christ restored earthly authority to mankind when HE gave HIS life as the ultimate sacrifice to God on the cross once and for all on behalf of mankind. Hebrews 7 The day Jesus died on the cross the veil in the temple in Jerusalem was torn from top to bottom. Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and High Priest representing God's people to The Father. Since then, God does not require animal sacrifices on altars anymore. Neither does HE require a human high priest to represent us anymore. Instead HE requires that we like Jesus present ourselves in surrender to HIS Will. It is only then that we can take advantage of the privilege and power through The Holy Spirit to defeat the devil in every aspect of our lives like Christ did on earth. We overcome because Jesus overcame. We can command victory because HE did. We are now made sons and daughters, heirs and co-heirs of God's Kingdom. Whatsoever we command on earth will be released from heaven to be made manifest in the earth. And whatsoever we undo will have the same effect. Because of Jesus, we now have those keys. Because of Jesus we can now control the circumstances we face. Jesus never had a crisis! Moreover, Jesus is still alive. All other high priests have died. HIS power and intercession is still active today in our lives.
A Paradigm Shift....
To understand The Kingdom of heaven requires a paradigm shift. We need a new mindset, a different way of thinking. Absolutely nothing is governed by the laws of gravity, etc... that we are familiar with. It's a completely new world altogether, completely different laws. In The Kingdom of God FAITH is the currency, and there can be no exchange of goods nor services without it. For instance: in The Kingdom of God, life and death is in the power of the tongue.
Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue.
God spoke and the world came into orbit. Jesus consistently told the people that their healing was according to their faith. In a Kingdom, whatever you believe you decree. That's how authority works. Orders are followed or there's death. You are in charge. As sons and daughters of God on earth, you are in charge. 1 Peter 2 Royalty doesn't ask others their opinion in order to decree a thing. Who can counsel The Almighty God? Isaiah 40 As sons and daughters of The Most High God we have HIS Holy Spirit as HIS counselor to us. All we have to do is do like Jesus did, and obey what HE says. HE said, I only do what The Father tells me to do. St. John 12 We must be submitted and obedient to the leading of The Holy Spirit. This is how we increase our faith. As we continue to submit to the tutorship of The Holy Spirit we begin to understand the laws and principles of God's Kingdom. Then we're able to apply them and live our lives at the standard which God originally intended. God created us to be in charge.
Genesis 1: 26-29
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals,[a] and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image,
in the image of God he created them;
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
29 Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. 30 And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds in the sky and all the creatures that move along the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.
The significance of our offerings....
In the Kingdom of God our words and actions work in tandem with each other. Moses stretched out his rod. Elijah told the widow to fetch containers. Jesus offered up the two fishes and five loaves. It is all about activating Kingdom laws. We are supposed to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. But we are also to make offerings unto God of our first fruits. In fact, we're to offer up tithes and offerings.
- Your tithe is not just financial. It's the discipline of 'sowing physically' the tenth portion of anything God blesses you with. For instance: your tenth pair of shoe is to be given away. Your tenth orange is to be given away, etc... It's the principle of generosity and good management skills. Jesus told HIS disciples to collect the leftovers. HE didn't waste it. God calls us to be to others what HE is to us. HE freely gives us all things, HIS Son, an inheritance, HIS authority on earth. Our mentality should be to help others, not hoard away. We could even giveaway 9/10th of our blessings because God's resources are never depleted. They are pressed down, shaken together and running over. Jesus commanded us to give. In fact, the more we give is the more we receive. This is indeed a paradigm shift. Luke 6 Once we understand the magnitude of our power, things/ numbers are irrelevant. Jesus gave them one basket of 2 fishes and five loaves to distribute, yet HE collected twelve baskets full of leftovers.
- Like King David, we should not offer to God that which cost us nothing. 2 Samuels 24 Your offering is based on your personal conviction. It's 'a substantial' part of your sacrifice offered unto God on the altar. Whatever you place 'on the altar' is symbolic of your perception of and relationship with God. God judges the heart. HE sees not just what you give, but what you keep for yourself, like the woman in the synagogue. HIS resources are as free to you as yours' are to HIM. Jesus teaches us to ask for the same portions we're willing to give, "forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us". This is another paradigm shift. We should not expect God to do for us what we're not willing to do for others. For how can we say we love God whom we've not seen if we can't love our brother whom we see. God expects our best. For instance God sacrificed HIS Son. The moabite King sacrificed his eldest son. God is more impressed with your heart, not your substance.
29 “The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31 The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
32 “Well said, teacher,” the man replied. “You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. 33 To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.”- If you come to the altar and remember that your brother has ought against you, go seek him out and make it right first. Mark 5 Instead of blood God requires holiness. Jesus did that - paradigm shift. The power is in the purity not the provision. While in the kingdom of darkness it's the opposite. Jesus already died. Jesus has already overcome the world we just need to stand in authority; take up our position. Spiritual battles are battles for spirits, not humans. The devil and his demons wrestle against the army/ angels of God. We set it off with our actions and words. Angels are ministering spirits who come at our bidding. Hebrews 1 As children of god we are in control. Jesus said, "the same authority and power which The Father has given to me is the same one I'm giving to you". Do not be afraid little flock. I've given you the keys to The Kingdom i.e. the ruling authority. I've also given you The Holy Spirit to maintain your guard. You cannot be defeated, just listen to HIM. HE will guide you into all truths. HE will teach you how to rule."
- When you come into God's presence come boldly to the throne of God. Hebrews 4 Jesus said, "And whatsoever you ask in MY NAME believing I will do it." St. John 14 The only thing standing in the way of our dominion and or defeat is our faith. Faith is like a seed which grows. What is most important is that we have it. But our experiences in the counsel of The Holy Spirit should/ will increase our faith. Faith grows with knowledge and understanding. The more faith we have the more we can take control of our circumstances. The less faith we have the more control the devil has over us. 'The ball is really in our court!'
18 I have received full payment and have more than enough. I am amply supplied, now that I have received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent. They are a fragrant offering, an acceptable sacrifice, pleasing to God. 19 And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.
TESTIMONY: John Ramirez - Rock Church - “Spiritual Warfare”
WORSHIP: All on the Altar
Build your ALTAR...that's where the power is!
